Abstract

Two monolithic organic materials exhibiting high photorefractive (PR) performances at a wavelength of 1064 nm were prepared and characterized. It was found that thiophene-based molecule T6 demonstrated better PR properties than benzene based molecule B6. A net optical gain of at a low applied field of and a diffraction efficiency of 45.6% at were observed for materials made from T6. Net optical gain at 1300 nm was also observed for T6. The differences in PR behavior between two materials with similar structures were explained based on dipole moment and photoconductivity differences.

Received 20 September 2004Accepted 01 March 2005Published online 05 April 2005

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). This work also benefited from the support of NSF MRSEC Program at The University of Chicago.